Michael Johnson and the Night the Shoes Went Golden

In 1996, Michael Johnson and Nike were involved in one of the biggest sporting gambles of all time.

The fastest man in the world had not yet won an individual gold medal by the time the Atlanta Olympics came around, but nevertheless, Johnson decided he was going for double gold by winning the 200-meter and 400-meter races.

Never mind that nobody had ever doubled in those two races at the Olympics before 1996, but Johnson took it one step further. He decided to work with Nike to wear gold spikes in an effort to "call his shot" with the world watching.

See how Johnson and Nike came up with the concept, the pressure Johnson faced and how he delivered on his Babe Ruth-like declaration in the video above.

For more coverage of track and field at the Rio Olympics, check out NBCOlympics.com.